Seoul, South Korea has over 2,000 years of history as a capital and cultural city along the Han River. It developed rapidly in the 20th century, experiencing issues from concentration in its city center after World War 2. Seoul addressed these issues by expanding roads, building new apartment complexes, and developing new areas like Yeouido Island. In recent decades, Seoul has focused on becoming a smart, sustainable city through urban renewal projects, improved infrastructure like subways, redeveloping the Han River, and preserving historical resources while improving quality of life. Seoul has transformed into a global city in just 50 years through rapid but planned development.

1. t
SEOUL
URBAN MORPHOLOGY

2. Seoul, South Korea
• Capital of South Korea
• Densest yet most developed city
• Forefront of technological advancements
• Capital of Korean peninsula for 600 years
• Historic and cultural city with over 2000 years
of history

3. • Since Paleolithic era along the Han River
• Strategic area for residence, military, defense
• The Summer Palace (1068 CE), the Kyongbok Palace (1392),
the Changdok Palace (1405), Toksu Palace (late 15th century)
• Construction of the city’s defensive walls before palace
• Capital during Joseon Dynasty in 1394

4. • Since Paleolithic era along the Han River
• Strategic area for residence, military, defense
• The Summer Palace (1068 CE), the Kyongbok Palace (1392),
the Changdok Palace (1405), Toksu Palace (late 15th century)
• Construction of the city’s defensive walls before palace
• Capital during Joseon Dynasty in 1394

5. • Center of the Hermits Kingdom
• Diplomatic contacts with the west 1876
• Choson dynasty unable to control western influence

6. • 1900: Opening of port, electrical facilities,
railroads, roads, schools, hospitals,
waterworks systems
• 1905: Japanese occupation
• 1945: End of Japanese colonialism
• 1950: The Korean War broke out, division,
damaged Seoul's identity and form
gravely

7. Seoul’s contemporary development can be divided largely into three phases.
Urban foundation (1960 - 1980) Growing City (1980-2000) Smart & Sustainable City (2000 - present)

8. • 1960: post war restoration and development
• 1970: due to excessive concentration in the city center,
decided to disperse city core function and population to the
outskirts of the city
• 1960s - 1970s, experienced serious urban issues
• To resolve these issues
• expanding roads
• building apartment complexes in illegal settlement
areas
• Built the Cheonggye Overpass and Yeouido Island.
Urban foundation (1960 - 1980)

9. • 1960: post war restoration and development
• 1970: due to excessive concentration in the city center,
decided to disperse city core function and population to the
outskirts of the city
• 1960s - 1970s, experienced serious urban issues
• To resolve these issues
• expanding roads
• building apartment complexes in illegal settlement
areas
• Built the Cheonggye Overpass and Yeouido Island.
Urban foundation (1960 - 1980)

10. • series of active urban improvement and city beautification
policies
• renewal projects, too systematically redevelop town again
• Hosted various international events
• high-standard urban infrastructure network
• public transportation, roads, waterworks
• sewage systems.
• opened subway lines
• development plan for the Han River
• large-scale apartment complexes to respond to the
explosive increase in housing
• the relentless development also produced some serious side
effects
• destruction of the natural environment
• damage to historical resources
• breakdown of communities.
Growing City (1980 - 2000)

11. • creating environmental and pedestrian friendly spaces
• value of history and culture is re illuminated
• quality of life and urban innovations
• Smart city
• development of Informational Technology
• towards creating a sustainable city with advanced IT.
• improved quality of life
• Urban improvement
• River rehabilitation
• Public transportation
• Historic preservation
Smart & Sustainable City (2000 - present)

12. Cheonggyecheon Restoration
• Place for People and Activity
• Cultural Assets and Green (Pedestrian) Network

13. • Seoul advanced to become a global megalopolis in just half a century. It advance into a smart city where 10
million people live comfortably just in 50 years.

14. • 270,000 people per year (22,000 people per month) for 3 decades, 1960-1990

15. • HEUNGINJIMUN GATE

16. • URBAN FABRIC COMPARISION

21. • https://www.seoulsolution.kr/en/content/3323#:~:text=The%20histo
ry%20of%20the%20city,Dynasty%20(1392%20%2D%201910)%20in
• https://www.metropolis.org/sites/default/files/seoul_urban_plannin
genglish.pdf